A new home for the “discarded” – renovation of the Mesner Tower
It is now more than 50 years since the last members of the Mesner family left the ancient walls of St. Oswald. Now, the former “Mesner Tower” is being transformed into a different kind of home: a home for those who were moved out of the church more than 100 years ago – the “discarded” saints that once resided in the baroque interior.
But until then, there is still a lot to do!
In the past four years, we have been working hard on the Mesner Tower. On the 1st floor, we were able to restore access to the room formerly used by the children of the Mesner family. After the dividing wall and drop ceiling had been demolished, and the former staircase sealed off with old floor boards, this upper floor is now available to host various special occasions.
Obergeschoss vorher Obergeschoss nachher
Once located right next to this room was St. Oswald’s aging WC. Here, too, we set to work, installing a new electrical system and plumbing , and creating modern “conveniences” for our visitors.
Changes have also been made to the lower floors. Here, it was time to actually “peel away” some of the alterations that had been made previously. The restorers were able to expose the historical ceiling timbers, remove later wooden casing and verdigris from the stone walls, as well as crumbling plaster. At other places, sections of wall needed to be mended or completely rebuilt.
1. Untergeschoss mit abgehängter Decke und Wandverschalung 1. Untergeschoss nach Freilegung der historischen Holztramdecke
Das 2. Untergeschoss während der Restaurierungsarbeiten
Der neugestaltete Vorraum des 1. Untergeschoss mit freigelegtem historischem Mauerwerk
The damp and moisture is practically a thing of the past, not least because this Gothic vaulted room acquired a new/old stone floor from Eisenerz master stone mason Alfred Valland.
Reutilize instead of throwing away: this was our motto. Also the case in our future exhibition room in the upper basement. Here, marble slabs from the former Knittelfeld side altar are an eye-catching feature of the flooring, framed by oak floorboards.
In August 2016, the Mesner Tower was first opened up to the public and, as part of the “Rust Festival”, served as exhibition space for pieces created by young artists, temporarily becoming “Galerie Röstli”. Here, Eisenerz-local Eva Koppler presented her linocuts and prints, and guests were invited to admire her works, and those of other artists, as well as to attend workshops.
Yet the Mesner Tower project continues.